Circuit interrupter



April 16, 1963 v. DELEVOY ETAL CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed March 4, 1960 United States Patent Ofilice 3,086,098 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 3,086,098 CHKCUIT INTERRUPTER Victor Delevoy, Grivegnee, and Fernand Cassalette, Liege, Belgium, assignors to Ateliers de (lonstructiens Electrigues de Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium, a corporation of Belgium Filed Mar. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 12,753 Claims priority, application France Mar. 11), 1959 11 Claims. (Cl. 209-444) This invention relates to circuit interrupters in general, and more particularly to arc-extinguishing structures therefor.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved and highly efficient circuit interrupter, particularly one of the magnetic blowout type, in which the number of component parts, and the assembly time during manufacture may be drastically reduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic circuit interrupter having a removable arc-chute device, thereby enabling a ready inspection of the contact structure, and possibly the substitution of a new arc-chute device when the old one has deteriorated following long use.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved circuit interrupter having a novel circuit-interrupter base with first and second blowoutcoil detachable connection means disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof together with the removable arc-chute device having a pair of blowout coils associated therewith and constituting component parts thereof.

Still a further object of the present invention is the pro vision of an improved circuit interrupter having a removable arc-chute device, in which a generally rectangularly-shaped molded arc-chute housing is employed having arc-extinguishing means disposed therewithin and also having, as a component part thereof, a relatively stationary arcing contact.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon reading the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partially in vertical section, of a magnetic-type circuit interrupter embodying the principles of the present invention, with the contact structure being illustrated in the open-circuit position.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FlGURE 1 thereof, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a magnetic-type of circuit interrupter. It will be noted that generally, the circuit interrupter 1 includes a molded base support, generally designated by the reference numeral 2, and a removable and detachable arcchute device, generally designated by the reference numeral 3. Certain features of the molded base support 2 are set forth more particularly and claimed in our concurrently tiled patent application Serial No. 12,752, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

The molded base support 2 generally is molded or cast of an epoxy resin base material. A side wall 4 has insulating shroud projections 5, 6, which are perforated, as at 7, and have projecting therethrough terminal studs 8 and 9. At the interior end of the upper terminal stud 8 is a relatively stationary main contact structure 10.

Disposed at the inner end of the lower terminal stud 9 is a pivotal support, not shown, which pivotally supports a rotatable contact arm, generally designated by the reference numeral 12. As shown, the rotatable contact arm 12 carries a movable main contact 13, which cooperates with main contacts 14 associated with the relatively stationary main contact structure Also carried at the outer free extremity of rotatable contact arm 12 is a movable arcing contact 15, which makes contacting engagement, in the closed-circuit position, with a relatively stationary arcing contact 16, the latter constituting a component part of the removable arc-chute device 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the molded circuit breaker base support 2 preferably has integrally molded therewith side Wall portions 17 and a front interconnecting, integrally-formed wall portion 18. Preferably the side walls 17 have support studs 19, 20 molded therewith during the molding process.

The function of the support studs 19, 20 is to enable the attachment of the circuit-interrupter base 2 to a lower disposed control base, or mechanism compartment 21, as shown in FIGURE 1.

As set forth more particularly in our eopending patent application, Serial No. 12,752, the integrally molded side walls 17 of the base 2 are interconnected at their lower extremity by a base plate, which forms an operating cylinder 22, constituting a part of a puller device 23, which, as Well known by those skilled in the art, enables the generation of a blast of gas during operation of the circuit interrupter through an ejector nozzle 24 and into the arc stream. The ejector nozzle 24 is pneumatically connected with the operating cylinder 22 by an insulating conduit 25. As a result, during opening of the circuit interrupter 1 a piston, not shown, movable upwardly within the operating cylinder 22, is effective to force a blast of compressed gas upwardly through the connecting pipe 25 and through the nozzle 24 to be forced into the arc stream to assist in arc extinction.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a first detachable blowoutcoil connection means 26 includes a conductor stud 27, which is preferably molded integrally with the front Wall 18 during the molding process. The lower end of the conductor stud 27 is electrically connected to the movable contact arm 12, as shown more clearly in our copending patent application Serial No. 12,752.

The upper end of the conductor stud 27 forms a jack, or plug 28, which is received by a receptacle, or socket 29, the latter constituting a component part of the removable arc-chute device 3. It will be noted that the receptacle 29 is electrically connected, by a connector 30, to a first blowout coil 31, having a pair of pole plates 32 which straddle and clampingly engage a molded, generally rectangularly-shap-ed arc-chute housing, generally designated by the reference numeral 33. The molded arc-chute housing 33 is preferably molded from a suitable epoxy resin base material.

As shown in FIGURE 1, suitable arc-extinguishing means 34 are disposed interiorly within the generally rectangularly-shaped molded arc-chute housing 33. The arc-extinguishing means 34 may comprise a plurality of insulating plate portions, or other suitable arc-extinguishing devices. The present invention is not limited to any particular form of arc-extinguishing means 34, as will be obvious from the description of the invention.

Disposed adjacent opposite ends of the generally rectangularly-shaped removable arc-chute device 3 is a pair of arcing horns 35, 36. As shown, the arcing born 35 may be attached, by bolts 37, to the end wall 38 of the molded arc-chute housing 33. Suitable means, not shown, electrically connect the arcing born 35 with the first blowout coil 31.

A second blowout coil 39, having pole plates 40, is also associated with the removable arc-chute device 3 and constitutes a component part thereof. The pole plates 40 clamp to the housing 33. As shown, one end of the second blowout coil 39 is electrically connected to a plug 41 which engages spring fingers 42, the latter being electrically connected with the relatively stationary main contact structure 10. A positioning pin 43 constitutes a part 3 of a positioning means 44 which ensures the precise positioning of the relatively stationary arcing contact 16, the latter constituting a component part of the removable arcchute device 3. Preferably, the upper end of the molded arc-chute base 2 has recesses @5 7 to enable the nesting therewithin of the removable arc-chute device 3.

As will be obvious, in the closed-circuit position of the device 1 with the main movable contact 13 making engagement with the relatively stationary main contact 14, the circuit extends through the circuit interrupter l and merely includes the terminal studs 8, 9, contact arm 12 and contacts 13, 14.

During the opening operation, the rotatable contact arm 12 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, about its pivotal mounting at the interior end of terminal stud 9. This will first separate the main contacts 13, 14, the arcing contacts 15, 16 remaining in engagement. Upon the subsequent separation of the arcing contacts l5, 16, the established arc will be lengthened, and Will transfer to the arcing horns 35, 36. As will be obvious, the electrical circuit now passes through the upper terminal stud 8, stationary contact structure 16*, flexible fingers 42., jack 41, second blowout coil 39, a connection not shown leading to arcing horn 36, the arc itself within arc-chute 3, left-hand arcing horn 35, first blowout coil 31, connector '59, receptacle 29, plug 28, conductor stud 27, and connection &8 to the movable contact arm 12.

The are drawn between the arcing horns 35, 36 will be extinguished by the functioning of the extinguishing means 34, the blowout coils assisting in upward movement of the are into the plate portions Ell.

It will be seen that it is of a distinct advantage to have the arc-chute housing 33 formed as a molded piece or casting having component parts, such as the blowout co-ils 31, 59 and pole plates 32, id secured thereto. The removable arc-chute device 3, hence includes not only the housing 33, but also the blowout coils 31, 39, extinguishing means 34, arcing horns 35, 36 and, most importantly, the relatively stationary arcing contact 16, which is precisely maintained in its proper position by the positioning pin 43. The positioning pin 43 constitutes a part of the assembly of the relatively stationary main contact 10, and hence may be accurately located.

By having the base support 2 of a single molded piece, and by also having the rectangularly-shaped arc-chute housing 33 also composed of a single molded piece the established arc is drawn and extinguished within a chimney or flue space 50, where there are no lateral slots, or joints which could permit lateral leakage of the arc gases to adjacent phases.

It will be noted that the jack 26 and the contact fingers 42 provide a connection means whereby current is fed to the two blowout coils 31, 39, the latter being an integral part of the assembly of the removable arc-chute device 3. When the arc-chute device 3 is assembled upon the circuit breaker base 2 the recesses 45 47 permit a proper nesting of the arc-chute device 3 into the upper end of the molded base 2, and also the positioning pin 43 ensures a precise positioning of the stationary arcing contact 16, which is removable with the arc-chute device 3.

As pointed out above, the first blowout coil 31 is electrically connected on the one side with the arcing horn 35, and on the other with the receptacle 29. The second blowout coil 39, is electrically connected on the one side with the relatively stationary arcing contact 16 (the latter connected with arcing horn 36), and on the other side with a jack 41, which engages the spring fingers .2. By the use of the positioning pin 43 the relatively stationary arcing contact 16 is precisely maintained in its proper position, so that in the closed-circuit position of the interrupter 1 it will make proper engagement with the movable arcing contact carried by the rotatable contact arm 12.

The positioning pin 43 may be integral with a molded t insulating part, which has very precise dimensions and is a component part of the assembly of relatively stationary main contact structure 1%.

The nestin within the circuit-breaker support 2 of the removable arc-chute device 3 has been made practically feasible by the fact that the relatively stationary arcing contact 16 is a component part of the removable arc-chute device 3, and is precisely maintained in proper position by the positioning means 44.

From the foregoing description it Will be apparent that there is provided an improved circuit-interrupting struc ture 1 in which a removable arc-chute device 3, containing a pair of spaced blowout coils 31, 39, may be readily removed from the circuit-breaker base support 2 enabling thereby inspection of the contact structures 10, 12.. The parts involved are few in number and the assembly operations are readily achieved.

Although there has been shown and described a specific structure, it is to be clearly understood that the same was merely for the purpose of illustration, and that changes and modifications may readily be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A circuit interrupter including a base support, a relatively stationary main contact structure including a positioning means and a cooperable movable contact structure supported upon said base support, the movable contact structure being separable from the relatively stationary main contact structure to establish and lengthen an are, means for extinguishing said established arc including a removable arc-chute device attachable and detachable to said base support, and the removable arcchute device including a relatively stationary arcing contact having a mating positioning means to which one end of the are transfers from the relatively stationary main contact structure.

2. The circuit interrupter according to claim 1, wherein said positioning means associated with the relatively stationary main contact structure includes a positioning pin for ensuring a precise positioning of the relatively stationary arcing contact.

3. The circuit interrupter according to claim 1, wherein said removable arc-chute device includes a unitary, one-piece, generally rectangular insulating housing having a magnetic blowout coil disposed externally thereof.

4. The combination in a magnetic air-break circuit interrupter of a circuit-interrupter base, a relatively stationary main contact structure and a cooperable movable contact structure supported upon said base and separable to establish and lengthen an arc, a positioning means constituting a part of the relatively stationary main contact structure, a removable arc-chute device attachable and detachable with respect to said base and including a relatively stationary arcing contact constituting one component part thereof, a mating positioning means secured to said relatively stationary arcing contact to ensure the precise positioning thereof relative to said relatively stationary main contact structure, and a pair of blowout coils disposed at opposite ends of the removable arc-chute device to effect lengthening and extinction of said are.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4, wherein the removable arc-chute device includes a generally rectangular one-piece molded housing and extinguishing means are disposed interiorly of the molded one-piece housing.

6. The combination in a magnetic air-break circuit interrupter of a circuit-interrupter base, separable main contact means supported upon said base and separable to establish and lengthen an are, a removable arc-chute device attachable and detachable with respect to said base and including a relatively stationary arcing contact constituting one component part thereof, a pair of blowout coils disposed at opposite ends of the removable arcchute device to efiect lengthening and extinction of said are, and said base having first and second detachable blowout-coil connection means adjacent the opposite ends thereof.

7. The combination set forth in claim 5, wherein a pair of spaced arcing horns extend longitudinally within said molded housing.

8. An air-brake circuit interrupter including a base, a pair of substantially parallel-disposed terminal-bushing structures supported on said base, a rotatable contact arm carrying a movable contact structure at the free end thereof pivotally supported at the inner end of one terminalbushing structure, a relatively stationary main contact structure supported at the inner end of the other terminal-bushing structure, a removable. arc-chute device attachable and detachable with respect to said base and including a pair of blowout coils constituting component parts of the assembly thereof, first and second blowoutcoil connection means disposed adjacent opposite ends of said base, the said first blowout-coil connection means being electrically connected to said other terminal-bushing structure, the second blowout-coil connection means being electrically connected to said relatively stationary main contact structure, and a relatively stationary arcing contact constituting a component part of the removable arc-chute device.

9. An air-break circuit interrupter including a base, a pair of substantially parallel-disposed terminal-bushing structures supported on said base, a rotatable contact arm carrying amovable contact structure at the free end thereof pivotally supported at the inner end of one terminalbushing structure, a relatively stationary main contact structure supported at the inner end of the other terminal-bushing structure, a removable arc-chute device attachable and detachable with respect to said base and including a pair of blowout coils constituting component parts of the assembly thereof, first and second blowoutcoil connection means disposed adjacent opposite ends of said base, the said first blowout-coil connection means being electrically connected to said other terminal-bushing structure, the second blowout-coil connection means being electrically connected to said relatively stationary main contact structure, a relatively stationary arcing contact constituting a component part of the removable arcchute device, and said removable arc-chute device including a substantially rectangul-arly-shaped molded insulating arc-chute housing.

10. The air-break circuit interrupter according to claim 9, wherein arc-extinguishing means are disposed interiorly Within said arc-chute housing, and spaced arcing horns are likewise disposed interiorly within said substantially rectangularly-shaped molded arc-chute housing adjacent opposite ends thereof.

11. The air-break circuit interrupter according to claim 9, wherein positioning means associated with the relatively stationary main contact structure ensures a precise positioning of said relatively stationary arcing contact relative to the relatively stationary main contact structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 701,455 Zweigbergk June 3, 1902 1,155,626 Steen Oct. 5, 1915 1,220,569 Steen Mar. 27, 1917 1,997,772 Graves Apr. 16, 1935 2,436,189 Boehne Feb. 17, 1948 2,625,627 Grepe Jan. 13, 1953 2,847,540 Pfeiffer et al Aug. 12, 1958 2,866,043 Dickinson et al Dec. 23, 1958 2,875,305 Latour et al Feb. 24-, 1959 

1. A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER INCLUDING A BASE SUPPORT, A RELATIVELY STATIONARY MAIN CONTACT STRUCTURE INCLUDING A POSITIONING MEANS AND A COOPERABLE MOVABLE CONTACT STRUCTURE SUPPORTED UPON SAID BASE SUPPORT, THE MOVABLE CONTACT STRUCTURE BEING SEPARABLE FROM THE RELATIVELY STATIONARY MAIN CONTACT STRUCTURE TO ESTABLISH AND LENGTHEN AN ARC, MEANS FOR EXTINGUISHING SAID ESTABLISHED ARC INCLUDING A REMOVABLE ARC-CHUTE DEVICE ATTACHABLE AND DETACHABLE TO SAID BASE SUPPORT, AND THE REMOVABLE ARCCHUTE DEVICE INCLUDING A RELATIVELY STATIONARY ARCING CONTACT HAVING A MATING POSITIONING MEANS TO WHICH ONE END OF THE ARC TRANSFERS FROM THE RELATIVELY STATIONARY MAIN CONTACT STRUCTURE. 